Women are 52% of the adult population, 21% of the Cabinet, 9% of the U.S. Senate, 12.9% of the U.S. House, 22% of the U.S. Supreme Court, 13% of Federal Judges, 6% of state Senators, 23% of state Representatives, 9 % of state Judges, and 20% of big city mayors.

The U.S. has never had a female president or vice president. Geraldine Ferraro was the first and only woman to be nominated for either office by a major party.

Since the Presidential Cabinet was established in 1789, there have been 21 female Cabinet members, or 4.3% of those who have been members.

Since the founding of this country, 11, 587 individuals have served in U.S. Congress. Of those, 11,390 were men, and 197 were women.

One hundred and thirteen individuals have been appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Of those, two have been women.

Currently, three of the nation's 50 Governors are women. Eighteen women are serving as Lieutenant Governor.

With the gains of feminism, women have been taking their places in public office at about the same rate as in business, academia, and law.

A National Women's Political Caucus poll found that two-thirds of voters believe that women have a tougher time getting elected to public office than men do. However, the NWPC's 1994 comprehensive study found that in general elections for state offices, U.S. Congress, and governor, incumbency, not a candidate's gender, was the major factor in outcome. When women run, women win as often as men do.

Most incumbents are men, and incumbents are extremely difficult for anyoneman or womanto defeat. Incumbents tend to enjoy huge advantages. Leveling the playing field for all candidates will require campaign finance reform and proportional representation voting systems.

(sources: GenderGap in Government, National Women's Political Caucus)

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